Foot-operated control device.



J. A. STAPLES. FOOT OPERATED CONTROL DEVICE.

' APPLICATION rILpn JUNE 10, 1912.

Patented Dec, 9, 1913.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

J. A. STAPLES. FOOT OPERATED CONTROL DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 10, I912.

Patented Dec. 9, 1913.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2..

v 6/ wuc wtoz Q :(bvw Sim v mummy JOHN ATKINSON STAPLES, 0F NEWIBURGH, NEW YORK.

FOOT-OPERATED CONTROL DEVICE.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN A. STAPLES, a citizen of the United States, residing at Newburgh, in the county of Orange and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Impreve-n'ients in Foot-Operated Control Devices; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention consists in the novel features hereinafter described, reference being had to the accompanying drawings in which I have shown the preferred embodiment of my invention and several modifications thereof selected by me for purposes of illustration and the said invention is fully disclosed in the following description and claims.

In the said drawings, Figure 1 represents a perspective view, partly in section, of an embodiment. of my invention in its pre 1 ferred form, adapted for use as an accelerator for controllii'ig the feed of gasolene or explosive mixture to the motor of an automobile. Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the same. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the device parts being shown in elevation. Fig. 4 is a detail perspective of the pedal with parts detached. Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional yiew of the device parts being shown in elevation. Fip'. 6, a top plan view illustrating a modified embodiment of my invention. Figs. 7, S and 9 are respectively a plan, side elevation, and section of a further modification of my invention.

In the use of vehicles driven by prime motors, it is desirable that a portion of the control shall be capable of being exercised by the foot of the driver, as his hands are ordinarily fully occupied in'the management of the steering wheel and change speed lever. In vehicles driven by explosion engines it is therefore usual to provide a foot operated lever, or treadle operatively connected for example with a valve controlling the supply of gasolcne to the engine, in

order that the operator may increase or diminish the supply of fuel in accordance with road conditions, by a movement of his foot. These devices are termed accelerators and the foot operated lever thereof is ordinarily moved vertically or laterally by a'pressure of the toe, against the action of a spring.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 9,191 3.

Application filed June 10', 1912. Serial No. 702,900.

which is employed to return the lever to normal position. This operation necessitates a moreor less accuratebalancmg of the foot, usually upon the heel thereof, the

variations in fuel supply being obtained by variations in pressure on the lever. The necessity of so balancing the foot occasions a considerable strain on the muscles, of the foot and leg, which in long continued driving results in considerable fatigue and frequently in pain, and moreover the vertical oscillations of the vehicle body, as in passing over rough roads results in. changes in the equilibrium of the drivers body, which is resisted by the pressure of his feet upon the floor, thus making him liable to involuntarily alter the adjustment. of the control valve or device connected with the foot lever or accelerator and frequently causing an eX- cess of fuel to be supplied to the engine at inopportune moments, occasioning the racing or stalling of the engine, and deposits of carbon in the cylinders and spark plugs.

The object of my invention is to provide a footoperated control device for vehicles on which the foot may rest with the entire weight at all times without in any way affecting the operation of the device and in which the portion of the foot not engaged by the device is raised from the floor or foot support only during the time that the device is being adjusted, the foot remaining at all other times firmly supported by the control device and contiguous flooring or foot sup port, in an easy and natural position. Thus all strain is removed from the foot and leg muscles; the driver can brace himself by means of the foot engaging my'improved device, against jar and shock from the movements of the vehicle frame .or body and without in any way disturbing the adjustment of the control device.

In the accompanying drawings Figs. 1

to 5 inclusive. I have shown an embodiment of my invention selected by me for purposes of illustration and arranged for operating as an accelerator for explosive engine switch or rheostat lever, or other control fievice employed on an automobile or other vehicle, or for other purposes for which its use may be found advantageous.

In the preferred form or embodiment of my invention illustrated in Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive, 1 represents a foot plate, preferably of metal, and preferably Wedge shaped, in

longitudinal section, that is to say having a thin edge at the rear and increasing gradually in thickness toward the front, to conform to the upward curve at the front end of the sole of an ordinary shoe .or boot, as indicated in Fig. 3, so that the toe portion of v the foot of the operator may rest thereon attaching means to facilitate adjustment between it andthe devices connected therewith. The pivotstem 2 is preferably located within the confines of the foot. and I prefer to locate it substantially under the ball of the foot. The plate 1 is provided with means for engaging the foot on opposite sides, andin my preferred embodiment these means consist of raised side pieces 5.

and 6, as shown, for engaging opposite sides of the sole portion. I prefer to provide at least one of these side pieces with means for so engaging the shoe or foot of the operator as to prevent the longitudinal movement of the foot in both directions with respect to the plate 1. In the present instance the side piece 5 which is on what Iterm the pressure side of the plate, is preferably made integral with, or rigidly and permanently secured to, the plate 1, and extends preferably in a curve beyond the rear edge of plate 1 and beyond the Widest portion of the sole of the operators foot to give thepfoot a bet ter leverage on the plate and to prevent the rearward movement of the foot with respect to the plate. The curved shape of the side piece 6 also tends to hold the foot from moving rearwardly or forwardly, and the inclined upper face of plate 1 also tends to prevent the foot from slipping forward. The side piece dis preferably adjustable laterally to accommodate differences in the width of the toe of vshoes or boots worn by different drivers. As shown in Fig. 4 the side piece 6 is provided with dowel pins 7,

e wing transversely disposed guidingw-tures i the plate .1 and a set screw 8 ui;:wagin,- a longitudinally disposed threaded aperture in the plate '1 communicating with oue of the sa d guiding apertures, is em ployed to secure the side piece'6 in its adj usted position. I do not limit myself, however, to this specific means for adjustment, and if desired the adjusting means may be omitted, if theside plates are separated sufficiently, as the twisting movement of the foot will naturally throw the toe portion near its extremity into engagement with the side plate 6, even if the space between it and the side piece 5 is greater than the width of the shoe sole at that point.

The arm 3 is connected in any suitable manner with the instrumentality which is to be controlled. In this instance I have shown it connected by a link 9 with an arm 10 connected with a valve stem 11 of a gasolene controlling valve 12, and said arm 3 is also provided with a retracting spring 13 which is secured at its other end to a stationary part of the vehicle in this instance to the side sill 14 (see Fig. 2) by an eye b'olt 15,01 other suitable fastening. I also prefer to provide a stop for arresting the return movement of the plate, stem and arm, under the influence of the retracting spring, which comprises in this instance a collar l6, provided with a stop lug 17, to engage a fixed stop-or pin 18 secured to the under side of the floor or foot support, but I do not limit myself to the particular form of stop herein shown and described.

In the use of the device the operator places his foot in engagement with the plate 1, the toe portion of the foot resting on said plate, between the side pieces 5 and 6, the heel resting; upon the floor or foot support F, thus giving a firm support for the entire foot, on which any desired amount of pressure may be exerted, While the foot rests in a perfectly easy and natural position without strain on the foot or leg muscles.

To further open the valve 12 to increase the v fuel supply the operator will swing the heel to the right more or less as required, against the pressure of the spring 13, preferably slightly raising the heel from the floor during the instant of moving it, and then replacing the heel on the floor (or the heel may be simply slid laterally without raising it if preferred). To partially close the valve and reduce the fuel supply the heel is swung to the left with the pressure of-the spring. The frictional engagement of the heel with the floor will hold the plate and connected parts in adjusted position, thus relieving the operator from the necessity of keeping up the lateral pressure, and enabling him to rest his weight firmly on the wholefoot at all times, with the exception of the instant when he may move his heel laterally and even then he may rest his weight on the toe, and against the plate 1. to steady himself, without affecting the operation of the device. As no locking means is provided for holding the plate in its adjusted position, other than the frictional engagement of the portion of the foot not engaged by the plate, with the foot supporting board or floor, it is not necessary to raise any part of the foot from the floor to make a quick change of adjustment, and this is a very desirable feature of the device. It is obvious therefore that in driv ing over rough roads the steady and evenly regulated feed of fuel may be maintained andthe driver is relieved from the strain both mental and physical of endeavoring to balance his foot against the resistance of a spring and keeping an accurate and adjusted pressure upon the foot engaging part. notwithstanding the jarring of the vehicle body. As the weight of the foot is at all times firmly npon the plate 1, and is further held laterally by the side pieces 5 and 6, it is practically impossible that the foot shall be thrown out of operative engagement with the plate 1, and the flooring, no matter how much the vehicle may be jarred in passing over rough or uneven roads. It is to be understood that a portio h of one end of the foot only engages the plate, which end of the foot becomes practically integral with the plate, the trce end of the foot resting flat upon the foot-board or flooring in stable position at all times except when a change of adjustment is being effected.

In Fig. 6 I have shown a modified form or embodiment of the device in which the pivoted plate is designed to be engaged by the heel and operated by swinging, the toe laterally. In this figure 21 is the plate, 22 the pivot stem, 23 the arm or lever provided with a plurality of securing apertures 2 and 25. 26 are the side plates for retaining the heel to atlord the necessary engagement between the heel and plate to effect the ro tation of the latter. The side plate 26 is shown as being laterally adjustable and is held in adjusted position by a set screw 28.

in Figs. 7, S and 9 l have shown a further modification of the device, in which the wedge shaped plate 51 is secured to the pivot stem 52, and provided with apair of laterally adjustable and rear 'ardly extending arms. or side-pieces 55; 56 provided at their rear ends with angular clips 57, 58 to engage the sides of the boot or shoe sole. The arms 55. 56, are provided with right and left hand screws respectively 59 and (30, extending laterally into apertures in the sides of the wedge plate, and engaging a central nut 1 which is reverscly threaded so that-a, turn of said nut will draw said arms closer together or move them farther apart, as desired to adjust the device to the width of the operators foot.

'hatl claim and desire to secure tcrs Patent is:

by Let l. A foot operated control device for automobiles comprising a torsionally movable pedal, adapted to engage a portion of the bottom of the foot of an operator, said pedal being of less length than the foot to permit portions of the bottom thereof not engaged by said pedal to frictionally engage the adjacent flooring, said pedal being provided with means for connecting it to the foot for imparting a torsional movement to the pedal, a pivotal support for said pedal located beneath the same and substantially perpendicularly thereto, and means adapted to connect said pedal to the part to be controlled whereby said pedal may be operated by swinging the portion of the foot in engagement with the flooring laterally on a circle concentric with said pivotal axis, without raising any portion of the foot.

2. toot operated control device for antomobiles comprising a torsionallymovable pedal having a supporting surface for engaging the sole. portion of the foot of an operator, said pedal being of less length than the foot to permit the heel to frictionally engage the adjacent flooring, said pedal being provided with means for connecting it to the foot for imparting a torsional movement to the pedal, a pivotal support for the pedal disposed pcrpcndicularly thereto, and located beneath, approximately, the portion of the supporting surface thereof which is engaged by the ballot the foot and means adapted to.connect said pedal with the part to be controlled, whereby said pedal may be operated by swinging the heel laterally on a circle concentric withsaid pivotal support. without raising any portion of the foot.

3. toot operated control device for antomobilcs comprising a torsionally movable pedal having a supporting surface for enstaging the sole portion of the foot of an operator. said pedal being of less length than the toot to permitthe heel togfrictionally engage the adjacent flooring,,said

port for the pedal disposed perpendicularly thereto and located beneath, approximately,

the portion of the supporting surface thereof which is engaged by the ball of the foot and means adapted to connect said pedal with the part to be controlled, whereby said ped il may be operated by swinging the heel laterally on a circle concentric with said pivotal support. without aising any portiOn ot the foot. said pedal being provided with means for preventing the longitudinal movement of the toot with respect thereto.

4. A toot operated control device for anl'omobiles, comprising a iorsionall movable pedal having a supporting surface inclined to a plane perpciulicnlar to its axis of cs cillation adapted to be engaged by the sole portion of the toot of an operator. and being of less length than the ,foot to permit the heel to frictionally engage the adjacent flooring, said pedal being provided with laterally disposed portions projecting above the foot engaging surface for engaging lateral portions of the foot to impart a torsional movement to the pedal, a pivotal support for the pedal having its axis disposed perpendicularly to its lower face, and located beneath approximately the portion of said supporting surface engaged by the ball of the foot, and means adapted to connect said pedal with the art to be controlled thereby, whereby sald pedal may be operated by swinging the heel laterally on a circle concentric with said pivotal support,

a without raising the foot.

5. A foot operated control device for automobiles comprising a torsionally movable pedal having a supporting surface adapted .to be engaged by the sole of the foot and being of less length than the foot to permit the heel to frictionally engage the adjacent flooring, a pivotal support for said pedal having its axis disposed substantially perpendicularly thereto and located beneath approximately the ortion of said supporting a surface engaged y the ball of the foot, and

' tomobiles comprising a torsionally movable means "adapted to connect said pedal to the part to be controlled, said pedal being provided with lateral opposed portions extending above said supporting surface, for en- 'abling the foot to impart a torsional movement to the pedal, one'of said projecting portions being adjustable laterally with respect to the other. 1

6. A foot operated control device for'aupedal having a supporting surface adapted to be engaged by the sole of the foot and being of less length than the foot to permit the heel -to frictionally engage the adjacent flooring, a pivotal support for said pedal having its axis disposed substantially perpendicu'larly thereto and located'beneath approximately the portion of said support-in surface engaged by the ball of the foot an means adapted to connect said pedal to the part to be controlled, said pedal being pro-- vided with lateral opposed portions extending above said supporting surface, for enabling the foot to impart a torsional movement to the pedal, one of said projecting portions being curved outwardly and ex tended rearwardly beyond the widest portion of the sole of the foot to prevent the longitudinal movement of the foot with respect to the pedal. 1

7. A foot operated control device for ausurface engaged by the ball of the-foot, an

means adapted to connect said pedal being provided with lateral opposed portions ex tending above said supporting surface, for enabling the foot to impart a torsional movement to the pedal, one of said projecting portions being adjustable laterally with respect to the other, and one of said projecting portions being curved outwardly and extended rearwardly beyond the widest portion of the sole of the foot and beyond said pedal, to prevent the longitudinal movement of the foot with respect to the pedal.

In testimony whereof I 'aflix my signature, in the presence of-two witnesses.

JOHN ATKINSON STAPLES. Witnesses:

LINDA M. STAPLES, ,PETER CANTLINE. 

